Ten Tips for Comfortable Conferences

This is a great list for new attendees, or as a reminder for the seasoned conference veteran.

• Take a sweater/jacket even if the weather is warm, as the conference hall and session rooms may be glacial.  Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes.  
• Take a refillable water bottle and keep it filled.  Top up at every opportunity.  You never know when you might get stuck in a session without water or start coughing during a keynote.  Fill it before you leave for the day to avoid having to buy $4 bottles of water at your hotel.
• Charge you devices frequently, for they will run out of power at the most inconvenient time.  One tip is to take a power strip with you, that way you don't have to fight for outlets, and you'll be a hero to other attendees.  The best option is to purchase a recharger that you can carry with you, but be sure you have all the cords you need before you leave your hotel.
• Arrive at sessions early where possible to get a good seat (or even a seat at all).  Aisle seats go fast, as do table seats that face the presenter.
• Carry baby wipes, or face cleansing wipes in case of stickiness or greasy food at lunch.
• If there is a huge vendor area, review the list and make notes of those you actually want to meet.  It makes it easier to traverse the vendor jungle and not get lost among the booths.  You also won't "miss" any really important companies.
• Take a small bag of mint/hard candy/breath strips in case of garlic at lunch (not gum).
• Check Amazon.com before buying books at the conference, unless you want to take them to author signings.  Often conference prices aren't the best price and you won't have to haul them back in your suitcase.
• Check the conference app (if there is one) for presentations and slide decks before the first day of the event.  Not only will this save photocopying, but in some cases you can get a sense of the program from the slides and decide if you really want to attend that program.
• Get in a line, it's a great way to meet people.  Lines for registration, meals, general sessions, and even the bathroom are ways to make contact with new people in a more casual way.  The movement of the line also helps keep the conversation brief and can give you a opening to the conversation.  "Have you seen the bags they are giving out this year? or "That lunch yesterday was interesting, I hope today we have better options."